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1976 Cobra II fuse problem - Solved (I hope)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rick Tanner
  • Start date Start date Jan 8, 2025

Rick Tanner

Member
Sep 7, 2015
8
16
13
Midland, MI (48642)
Jan 8, 2025
#1
  • Jan 8, 2025
  • #1
I had an electrical issue with my 1976 Cobra II that I wanted to share with everyone. There was an inline fuse that blew that was hooked to the solenoid and went into the wiring harness. My brother and I (he's an electrical engineer), replaced it with a 30 amp fuse holder. A year or more later, I found that the fuse would blow for no apparent reason. The car would start fine then after I shut it off, it wouldn't even turn over. For a while I kept a bunch of fuses in the car in case I had to stop, then I would replace it and start the car again.

I discussed this with my brother and we reviewed the wiring diagram. It seemed that this wire was somehow linked (according to the color) to the rear window defroster (why I ordered that as part of the car, I will never know....NEVER driven in the winter). This did not make any sense so I looked all possible sources of an inadvertent ground and lo and behold, found that the rubber cover on the alternator was maybe too close to the spark plug wires (first picture). I didn't see how this could be it but maybe when the engine is revving, it bounces enough to get close.

So I zip tied the wires away from it and put a temporary wire cover on the alternator.

Problem solved!
 

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Reactions: Blackhawkxx, LILCBRA and 89ripper

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
Mod Dude
Dec 6, 2005
6,377
5,359
194
Corn County USA
Jan 8, 2025
#2
  • Jan 8, 2025
  • #2
It always seems to be something you missed or something you'd never think of, doesn't it? They're temperamental beasts!
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,082
21,267
234
Box behind Walmart
Jan 8, 2025
#3
  • Jan 8, 2025
  • #3
Hmmmm.... Those plug wires are suspect. They should not be leaking the lightnings.
 
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